Former Cal softball player sues school and coach Chelsea Spencer

A former UC Berkeley softball player has filed a lawsuit against the university and former head coach Chelsea Spencer. The suit alleges that Spencer coerced the player into a sexual relationship and used her position of authority to retaliate against the athlete regarding playing time. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims that senior Cal Athletics officials were notified of the inappropriate relationship as early as December 2023 but failed to intervene. According to the complaint, the player was removed from the team after the matter was escalated to school leadership, effectively ending her collegiate softball career. Spencer, who led the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, resigned from her position in June 2025. The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and follows several recent abuse-related allegations directed at the Cal Athletics department.

• 1:17 AMYahoo Sports — Ex-Cal softball player alleges coach coerced her into sexual relationship